This mountain is located on the border of Yugawara and Hakone, allowing a magnificent view of Mount Fuji and Lake Ashinoko. It is named after the famous Japanese painter of pre-World War II Japanese art, Taikan Yokoyama, who was said to love painting Mount Fuji.The panoramic view of the setting sun and Lake Ashi in the direction of Mt. Fuji is superb.

The Tsubaki Line refers to the Kanagawa Prefectural Road No. 75 Yugawara Hakone Sengokuhara Line. At “Tsubaki-dai,” chosen as one of Kanagawa’s 50 most beautiful sights, there is a small plateau in the middle of the Tsubaki Line that connects Oku Yugawara Onsen and Daikanzan. There are many camellia trees growing along the Tsubaki Line, and the viewing season is from February to April.

The Hakone Old Highway is a part of the Tōkaidō Highway established by the Edo Shogunal government, and the sloping road extends for 32 km from the Mishima post station via the Hakone-toge pass to the Odawara post station. The part between the Mishima post station and the Hakone check station through the Hakone-toge pass at an elevation of 846 m had been considered the most grueling part in the Tōkaidō Highway, as in addition to the steep ascent at high elevation, travelers had to walk through knee-deep mud if it snowed or rained. The Edo Shogunal government spent 1,400 ryo to pave the road with stone for 10 km of the road. According to records, it was originally paved with local Hakone-dake bamboo, however, it needed to be regularly repaved as the bamboo would rot, costing a great deal of money every year. Now only 2 km of the original stone pavement remains. Enjoy imagining travel in the old days while walking along the original paved segment of the old highway.The mountain road is overgrown with trees, so an early morning start is recommended. When the weather is nice, the sunlight through the trees feels refreshing. Be careful as the stone pavement is slippery after it rains.

Located next-door to the Hakone Tokaido Museum, Amazake Chaya Teahouse has been in business for 12 successive generations since it was established in the Edo era. They serve homemade, all-natural, sugar-free amazake, a sweet drink made from fermented rice, and hand-pounded, char-grilled bincho mochi rice cakes, which are very soft and tasty. Experience the time-honored delicacies that the travelers passing along the steep mountain highway enjoyed years ago in the rustic grass-thatched teahouse.

Lake Ashi, called Ashinoko in Japanese, is one of Hakone’s most scenic natural retreats. Resting at the base of Mt. Hakone, this largely undeveloped lake is lined with lush seasonal foliage and even offers views of Mt. Fuji on clear days. This enchanting scenery has made Lake Ashi a popular destination for cruises and watersports, including kayaking! Ashinoko Club, located on Lake Ashi’s southern end, is an excellent base for all your watersports needs. The rental facility offers three kayaking experiences that are suitable for visitors of all ages—a morning tour, an afternoon tour, and the Kuzuryu Shrine course. These guided kayaking experiences take between 60 and 90 minutes, depending on the course, and offer unique perspectives of the renowned lake and encircling scenery. One of the area’s most prominent photo spots is Hakone Shrine with its partially submerged torii (gate). This brilliant vermilion structure seemingly glows against the deeper tones of the forest beyond, making for an enchanting visual. If you are lucky, you may even be granted a view that encompasses both Hakone Shrine and Mt. Fuji! If you plan on visiting Lake Ashi, a kayaking tour is guaranteed to make your experience a memorable one.